- Experts Hail Apex Court Ruling
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi who was earlier sentenced to seven years imprisonment for alleged complicity in money laundering.
The apex court also reversed the downward hearing date in the appeal challenging his imprisonment.
In response to an application by his lawyers, the court brought forward the hearing date in his appeal against his conviction from November 24, 2024, to February 9, 2023.
An impeccable source hinted that Nwaoboshi was also granted bail pending the hearing of his appeal.
Nwaoboshi, through his counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Attorney General of the Federation, had appealed to the Supreme Court to fast-track the hearing of his case against his imprisonment.
In his submission, Agabi informed the panel of justices of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola that Nwaoboshi is a senator and pleaded for a quick hearing of his client’s appeal.
He disclosed that Nwaoboshi is a senatorial candidate for Delta North in the 2023 elections.
The appeal is challenging the judgement of court of appeal in Lagos on July 1, 2022.
Agabi stated that his client may be made to complete the jail term before his innocence or otherwise could be decided by the apex court.
However, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) and other parties did not raise objections to the application, the Chief Justice reversed the 24th November, 2024 date earlier set for hearing to February 9, 2023 to determine the innocence or otherwise of the senator representing Delta North.
The bail has been greeted with applause as many hailed it as a right step in the right direction. Dr Philip Odiaso, a political analyst commended the apex court for doing what he called ” the right move to save the judiciary from reckless abuse of process by dubious politicians who are afraid of the political sagacity of Peter Nwaoboshi, the oracle of Delta North Politics and connived to take him out of circulation. We are happy, Delta North Senatorial zone is happy. We salute the courage of the apex court.”
Also speaking, Chief Philip Omodi hailed the bail, saying it shows that the judiciary is the temple of justice.
It would be recalled that the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal had passed a judgement against Senator Nwaoboshi for alleged money laundering.
In the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero and affirmed by Justices Obande Festus Ogbujinya and Peter O. Affen, the court also ordered that the two companies of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly be wound up.
The ruling was sequel to an appeal to challenge the judgement of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, on June 18, 2018, which discharged and acquitted Nwaoboshi of all allegations.
